There are many options for resolving business partner disputes

When partners are about to start a business, they’re excited about what they’re planning to accomplish. Just like most relationships, though, there’s a point at which all the euphoria dissipates. It’s often after that honeymoon period is over that cracks in the foundation start to emerge. Conflicts with your business partner can get heated fast.

Business partners often fight about operational matters. When you were planning to start your company, you may have sat down to plan how you were going to co-manage it. It’s easy for business partners to lose track of their responsibilities — especially if no one is holding them accountable for their actions. One partner may accuse the other of not doing their fair share of the work.

It’s possible for business partners to address this imbalance in workload by sitting down and talking with each other. One option that you can bring up with your partner is to redistribute your workload. You can also request a salary increase for the increased work you have taken on.

Bringing in a third-party such as a silent investor to cast a deciding vote may one option for resolving your differences. A mediator may be able to help you reach a resolution as well.

If those options don’t work, then you may have to get the legal system involved. This may be the case if your company has multiple shareholders and none of them can reach a consensus. If you get the court system involved, then the judge presiding over your matter will select a provisional director to make a decision.

Another solution that may work for you and your partner is for one of you to assume a non-managerial role with the company. That person can remain a shareholder if you do. You can also dissolve the partnership.

Operational disputes have a way of quickly spiraling out of control. This is often the case if one partner feels as if they’re putting in more work than another or if one party seems to be calling all the shots. A business law attorney who has broad and qualified commercial legal experience in Oregon can provide you with proactive business counsel.

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